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NEWS RELEASE
MARCH 22, 2010 #10-008
12:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Investigate ATM Skimming Device

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the use of a skimming device on an ATM machine, located at the Wachovia Bank at 3624 King Street. On Sunday, February 28, 2010, at approximately 1:30 P.M., an ATM technician working on the machine found the skimming device. The engineer took photos of the device and went inside the bank to notify the bank’s security office. When he returned a few minutes later, the device had been removed.

Several customers have come forward to report fraudulent charges on their bank cards with current losses estimated at over $60,000. The investigation is ongoing. Detectives are asking for anyone who used this particular ATM machine on February 28, to check their account information and make sure no unauthorized charges have been made to their accounts.

An ATM skimming device works by reading all the account information stored electronically on the magnetic strip of you debit or credit card when you slide it into the machine. Depending on the device’s sophistication, it also records your personal identification number, or PIN, as you punch it in on the ATM keypad.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Detective David Hoffmaster at 703.838.5002 or the Crime Solvers tip line at 703.838.4858.
Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.